Don't forget to store or pack the following:Bottled water
Non-perishable food
30-day supply of medications
Extra copies of prescriptions
Identification and other important documents
Medical supplies
Special nutritional items
Adult diapers
Hearing aid batteries
Flashlights and radio with extra batteries
Cooler with ice
Changes of clothing
ID bracelet
Activity games
If you evacuate: Know where you and your loved one will stay in advance. Many shelters cannot adequately care for people with special needs. Make sure your temporary accommodations can handle any supplies or equipment you must bring.
Know how you will get to your evacuation spot. Make sure you have access to a mode of transportation that can accommodate equipment such as a wheelchair, if necessary.
Make sure your loved one wears an ID bracelet that lists the contact information for your evacuation spot as well as your home.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are several issues
caregivers should remember:
During an evacuation:
• People with dementia are especially vulnerable to chaos and emotional trauma. They have a limited ability to understand what is happening, and they may forget what they have been told about the disaster.
• Be alert to potential reactions that may result from changes in routine, traveling or new environments.
• When appropriate, inform others (hotel or shelter staff, family members, airline attendants) that your loved one has dementia and may not understand what is happening.
• Do not leave the person alone. It only takes a few minutes to wander away and get lost.
• Changes in routine, traveling and new environments can cause:
o Agitation
o Wandering
o Increase in behavioral symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions and sleep disturbance.
• Do your best to remain calm. The person with dementia will respond to the emotional tone you set.
Tips for preventing agitation:
• Reassure the person. Hold hands or put your arm on his or her shoulder. Say things are going to be fine.
• Find outlets for anxious energy. Take a walk together or engage the person in simple tasks.
• Redirect the person’s attention if he or she becomes upset.
• Move the person to a safer or quieter place, if possible. Limit stimulation.
• Make sure the person takes medications as scheduled.
• Try to schedule regular meals and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
• Avoid elaborate or detailed explanations. Provide in-formation using concrete terms. Follow brief explanations with reassurance.
• Be prepared to provide additional assistance with all activities of daily living.
• Pay attention to cues that the person may be over-whelmed (fidgeting, pacing).
• Remind the person that he or she is in the right place.
Helpful hints during an episode of agitation:
• Approach the person from the front and use his or her name.
• Use calm, positive statements and a patient, low-pitched voice. Reassure.
• Respond to the emotions being expressed rather than the content of the words. For example, say, "You’re frightened and want to go home. It’s ok. I’m right here with you."
• Don’t argue with the person or try to correct. Instead, affirm his or her experience, reassure and try to divert attention. For example, "The noise in this shelter is frightening. Let’s see if we can find a quieter spot. Let’s look at your photo book together."
Take care of yourself
• Take care of yourself by finding a good listener to hear your thoughts and feelings about the event.
• Find moments to breathe, meditate and reflect.
Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area wishes all of our caregivers, families and patients a safe week as Gustav approaches. Please contact our office for more information at (225) 334-7494 or (800) 548-1211.
Monitor Hurricane Gustav through The Weather Channel: http://www.weather.com/index.html/
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